WHITTIER – As word spread Tuesday, friends and relatives of a Whittier couple whose four children died when their SUV flipped over on a road in Mexico were rallying in support of the family.

A fund has been established to help pay for funeral services for Roberto Carlos Bosquez, 25; Eric Bosquez, 20; Daisy Bosquez, 17; and Jessica Bosquez, 13, all of Whittier. They were killed Jan. 3 in a crash outside Sonora, Mexico.

Parents Juana, 44, and Roberto Bosquez, 46, were not seriously hurt, according to relatives. But Juana Bosquez’s father, 71-year-old Rodolfo Hernandez of Whittier, also was killed. His wife, Domitila Hernandez, 66, suffered serious injuries and was in critical condition, said Carlos Hernandez, 26, the older couple’s son.

The Bosquezes had gone to Guadalajara to attend a wedding, Hernandez added. He said he spoke with Roberto Bosquez by phone on Thursday, when he learned about the tragedy.

Bosquez told him the family was returning to California when they encountered bad weather. Juana Bosquez lost control of their 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, which overturned, Hernandez said.

“It’s all so horrible. I don’t even know how to explain it,” said Hernandez. “We have funeral expenses, hospital bills. I’m grateful that everyone is supporting us.”

The bodies of the five family members have been cremated and the remains were to be transported locally for burial. A funeral date has yet to be set.

Juana and Roberto Bosquez were expected to return home this week, Hernandez said.

Friends of the family were reeling from news of the tragedy.

“It’s just a complete shock,” said Eduardo Ramirez, 25, who grew up with Roberto Carlos Bosquez. “When I heard about the whole family, I realized that the community needs to be there.”

He described the oldest of the Bosquez children as a “very gregarious, very worry-free” person.

Roberto Carlos and Eric Bosquez attended East Whittier Middle School and graduated from Whittier High School. Jessica Bosquez attended East Whittier Middle School. Daisy Bosquez was a junior at Whittier High.

The family had been in the process of moving from Whittier to Chicago. They were supposed to have moved this weekend, Hernandez said.

“All their stuff was packed,” he said.

Officials at both schools said the girls had notified them last month of the move.

Donations to help the families can be made at any Washington Mutual branch, in care of the Bosquez Family, Account No. 3153409038.

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